Apparatus for pasteurizing and deodorizing lacteal fluids under vacuum



H. L. MURRAY 2,091,606

S UNDER VACUUM Aug. 31, 1937.

APPARATUS FOR PASTEURIZING AND DEODORIZING LACTEAL FLUID 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 20, 1933 Aug. 31, 1937. I H. L. MURRAY 2,091,606

APPARATUS FOR PASTEURIZING AND DEODORIZING LACTEAL FLUIDS UNDER VACUUM Original Filed March 20, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 31, 1937. MURRAY 2,091,606

APPARATUS FOR PASTE URIZING AND DEODORIZING LACTEAL FLUIDS UNDER VACUUM Original Filed March 20, 1933 :s Sheets-She et s 790' 3 z 8/ M 65 I Patented Aug. 31, 1937 I UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR PASTEURIZING AND DE- ODORIZING LACTEAL FLUIDS UNDER VACUUM Henry Lamont Murray, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand, assignor to Murray Deodorisers Limited, Auckland, New Zealand, a company of New Zealand Original application March 20, 1933, Serial No.

661,851. Divided and this application March 29, 1934, Serial No. 718,038.

May 26, 1932 e 7 Claims. (01. 99-252) The present invention has for its object the provision of apparatus for the continuous pasteurizing and deodorizing of lacteal fluids or the like, such as cream, under vacuum.

It has been previously proposed to pasteurize cream, milk or the like by the direct injection of steam at a comparatively high velocity or pressure, such having proved satisfactory only in cases where the 'concussion effected has not been detrimental to the article and thus while practicable for the handling of whey, is not satisfactory for cream.

Concussion of a delicate substance like cream during treatmentprior to churning is known to cause increase of fat losses during churning so that with the present invention, attention has been given in the construction of theapparatus to the reduction of concussion to a minimum, this also being a leading consideration in the combining of the pasteurizer and deodorizer and adapting such combined apparatus to operate under vacuum from a source common to both units of apparatus.

Amongst the advantages attendant. upon vacuum pasteurization, the following are the most pertinent:

Reduction of concussion resulting in reduction of churning losses and increased overrun; improved pasteurizing efllciency; avoidance of scorched, cooked or stewed flavors; minimum interference with vitamines; no necessity for dilution; reduction of power and steam consumption and automatic operation.

It is claimed that the present invention is the first in the field which will satisfactorily effect continuous pasteurization and deodorization under vacuum and accordingly the ambit of the invention is only to be limited in so far as is necessary to support the validity of the annexed claimsf In my co-pending application Serial No. 661,-

851, I have described and claimed my improved method of pasteurization and deodorization, and in thepresent application I shall describe 3 forms' of a pasteurizer utilizing my method but it' will be I understood that I do not limit myself to the specific forms shown. 1 I It.is alsoto be understood that the pasteurizer can be operated independent of a deodorizer and also under atmospheric conditions and accordingly the pasteurizer has been claimed independently as well as in combination with the deodorizer.

When the pasteurizer is not used in conjunction with the deodorizer it is desirable for the In New Zealand cream to be retarded on discharge from the pas- I teurizer in order to enable the chemical action of acid neutralization to be completed, so that,

as the pasteurizer would be used under atmos pheric conditions, to avoid creation of vacuum in the pasteurizing chamber by condensation of the steam (with consequent cream locking of said chamber) air vent means are provided.

Provision is made, where the pasteurizer operates in conjunction with the deodorizer, for the degree of vacuum in thedeodorizer and the pasteurizer to be independently varied if desired as it will be understood that under most conditions, to obtain effective deodorization, it is necessary to have a greater degree of vacuum in the deodorizer than is permissible in the pasteurizer to obtain adequate pasteurization.

The invention comprises these features and the features and arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a sectional elevation of a pasteurizer wherein the steam is diffused into the liquid by way of a perforated tube.

Figure 2 shows a sectional elevation of a modified form of pasteurizer wherein the steam is diffused into the liquid by way of slots.

Figure 3 is a sectional end elevation of Figure 2,

Figure 4 shows a pasteurizer of the type shown ,in Figure 1 is applied to retarding chamber means,

Figure 5 shows a pasteurizer of the type shown in Figure 2 as applied to a deodorizer apparatus, the latter being shown partly in section to show the retarder means therein,

Figure 6 shows a sectional elevation of a pasteurizer wherein pasteurization is effected by passing the liquid in diffused or rain form through the steam. I

Figure? shows a sectional elevation of a modified formof such apparatus,

Figure 8 shows a pasteurizer of type shown in Figure '7 when used as an atmospheric arrangement along with retarder vessel means.

Figure 9 shows apasteurizer of the type shown .in Figure 7 coupled to a deodorizer apparatus and having valve means automatically actuated to control the degree of vacuum applied to the pasteurizer, and

Figure 10 shows an enlarged sectional elevation of the valve and its automatic actuating means.

Describing first of all the pasteurizer of Figure -1, thiscomprises a diffuser tube l preferably of cylindrical form having one end as the inlet 2, the other as the discharge 3, the inlet .end 2 being suitably threaded 4 to enable a supply or feed pipe (not shown) to be coupled thereto, and 5 the discharge end 3 having a preferably right angle branch fitting 5 removably attached thereto, this branch fitting 5 having a gland 6 therein through which a spindle or shaft 1 passes to within the branch fitting 5, a core or diverter 8 at- 10 tached to this spindle 1, passing centrally along within the diffuser tube I to nearly the inlet end 2 thereof.

This core or diverter 8 fills the central space within the difiuser tube I leaving only a small 15 annular space 9, said diverter 8 having blades I secured thereto adapted to contact the diffuser tube I, a handwheel II or like being attached to the spindle 1 just outside the gland 6 so as to enable the spindle 1 and the attached 20 diverter 8 and blades ID to be rotated.

If desired, to enable the individual streams of liquid to intermingle during the'heating process in annular space 9, the blades I0 could be in sections and staggered in line.

The diffuser tube I is surrounded except at its ends by a steam jacket I 2, having a steam regulating valve I3 controlling steamfiow from a suitable supply source, a baffle I4 for preventing the steam from impinging directly on diiTuser 30 tube I, a safety valve I5, pressure gauge I6, and

a drain I1 to a steamtrap or like.

The difiuser tube I where it is surrounded by the jacket I2 has a multiplicity of small orifices or perforations I8, these being so evenly or sym- 35 metrically arranged that any liquid passing in a, straight line at any point through the annular space 9 within the difiuser tube I would encounter a large and substantially equal number of these orifices.

By way of example, the apparatus could consist of a three inch diffuser tube I, twenty inches long, perforated with say 40005 inch holes where it is surrounded by steam jacket I2.

The steam jacket I2 it is preferred should be 45 the fixed or rigid member of the unit, the diffuser tube I, diverter' 8 and attached parts of these being adapted by means of suitable detachable joints and union nuts I9 to be readily removable from the jacket I2 for cleaning pur- 50 poses. I

With the modified form of apparatus as shown in Figure 2, in place of the diffuser tube l of Figure 1, a series of rings 20 are provided having spaces 2I of about therebetween, these 55 rings 20 each having central bosses 22 to which they are connected by preferably spiral vanes or spokes 23 (see Figure 3) all of the rings 20 being assembled or mounted'on a central spindle 24 and disposed in such relation to each other 60 that the vanes would cause liquid passing through the annular space 9 between the rings 20 and their bosses 22 to flow in a spiral direction and not straight through.

The end rings 20 of the assembly, slidably fit 65 within the ends of the steam jacket I2, the outlet 3 being in this case a straight through fitting and the inlet 2 an elbow fitting, this latter having a bore 25 with inner seat 26 for receiving a spindle 21 which has a seated boss 28 adapt- 7 ed to rest on said seat 26, the outer end of the spindle having a handwheel or like II secured thereto with a compression spring located therebetween and the elbow fitting to tend to keep the seatedboss 28 in close contact with seat 26.

7 The central spindle 24 to which the rings 20 are secured (by nut means 29 clamping them against spindle shoulder 30) has a preferably square end 3| adapted to freely fit into a square hole in the seated boss 29, the arrangement being such that by rotating handwheel or like II, the spindle 21, central spindle 24 and rings 20 rotate, and at the same time the detachable joint and union nut means I9 permit of ready detachment of the various parts from the steam jacket I2 for cleaning purposes.

The steam inlet pipe I3A with valve I3 may pass tangentially into the steam jacket I2 to prevent direct impingement of the steam on to the rings 29.

Engaging with the spaces 2| between the rings 20 there are knife blades 32 (see Figure 3) all connected together by lateral rod means 33 and bridge members 34, these latter being secured to the steam jacket I2 in such manner that by unscrewing the external nut means 35, the whole of the blades 32 can be withdrawn from engagement within the spaces 2I, thus permitting the rings 20 to be withdrawn laterally, when so desired for cleaning purposes.

Obviously, instead of the straight blades 32 as shown, said blades could be of circular form and permitted to rotate on a shaft which could be raised as desired in similar manner to that described.

A thermometer 36 is preferably fitted to the outlet 3. I

With the two forms of pasteurlzer described as in Figures 1 and 2, pasteurization is effected by diffusing steam into the liquid, but in the pasteurizers of Figures 6 and 7, this process is reversed, the liquid being passed in diffused or rain form through the steam.

The apparatus of Figure 6 comprises a pasteurizing chamber 31 preferably cylindrical in form with topand bottom pipes 38 and 39 secured thereto in a manner, as by joints 40, permitting ready detachment of said chamber 31 from said pipes 38 and 39, the top pipe 38 being gradually reduced in diameter from say, eleven inches at the top of the chamber 31 to four inches at its upper part 4I, this latter preferably having a right angle bend to prevent excessive height.

The top pipe 38 forms an expansion chamber for steam admitted thereto from the steam pipe I3A with control valve I3, before said steam passes into the pasteurizing chamber 31, so that the steam meets the liquid at a pressure only slightly above atmospheric.

Secured to the top pipe or expansion chamber 38 just above the pasteurizing chamber 31, a hollow spray ring 42 is secured having small orifices 43 (say 720- holes in a nine inch ring with four inch centre hole) in its bottomiace, this spray ring 42 being connected by inlet pipe 2 to a float tank 44 which may be of the type described in previous United States Letters Patent No. 1,641,349 the source of supply pipe 45 from which the liquid is delivered to said float tank 44 preferably being provided with strainer means 46.

The bottom pipe 39 which in effect is a seal, is connected to the lower end of the pasteurizing chamber 31 and reduced from the size of the,

latter to say, four inches in diameter, then passing horizontally and upwardly in goose neck or U form 41 to terminate in outlet 3.

A thermometer 36 is provided on'the goose neck 41 the latter also having a drain cock 48.

In the apparatus of Figure 7 which is a ,mogL g ified form of that shown in Figure 6, the pa teurizing chamber 51 is of inverted conical form having the spray mechanism mounted to the top thereof.

The spray mechanism comprises a liquid 5 chamber 49 with removable cover 59 and having inlet pipe 2 connected thereto, the spray plate 51 which has the orifices 43 therein in ring form (none in the centre) being seated in the bottom of the chamber 49 and having knob means 52 so that when cover 55 is removed, the spray plate 5| can be lifted out. I

The expansion chamber 38A surrounds the upper portion of the pasteurizing chamber 31, the steam gaining admission to the latter from the former by way of a perforate conical distributor 53 which rests on a head 54 formed in chamber 31 and fits at its top around the bottom of liquid chamber 49.

Sides of the expansion chamber 38A converge outwardly to form an outer extension 55 into which the steam pipe 19A passes with preferably a bell mouthed outwardly faced end 55 within extension 55.

The pasteurizers as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 6, and '1 may be used as independent units or in conjunction with deodorizing apparatus, but in any event, to complete pasteurization, it is preferable for the liquid after passing through the pasteurizer to be held in-retarder means for a period sufllcient to complete pasteurization and the chemical action of the neutralizing" agent. Where the pasteurizersare used in conjunction with deodorizer means, a separate vessel for retardation purposes is not necessary as retardation can be effected in the deodorizen.

Considering first of all the use of the pasteurizers as independent units, with those of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2, the retarder vessel in a preferred form comprises a container 51 (see Fig. 4) open to the atmosphere but substantially closed at its top by a cover plate 58 having a downwardly projecting cylindrical portion 55 concentric with the container 51, the connection of the container 51 to atmosphere being by way of this cylindrical portion 59.

The container 51 has an outlet pipe situated upwardly from the bottom of the container 51 and projecting to near the said bottom in bend form, a drain 5| also being provided to con- 50 tainer 51. H

The pasteurizer (as in Figure 1, or 2) is connected with its outlet 5 passing tangentially into the container 51' at the top thereof, the pasteurizer being mounted at a lower level than that at which the outlet 3 is connected to the container 51 to ensure sealing of the pasteurizer.

With the pasteurizers of Figures 6 and '1, as the passing of the liquid through the vsteam ,would tend to create a vacuum within the pasteurizing chamber 31, when these pasteurizers are used as independent or atmospheric units, it would {be necessaryto fit a vacuum and pressure relief valve 52 (of knowntype) to a convenient point on pasteurizing chamber 31 (see Figure 8)-. Y r

when so used, the goose neck 41 would be eliminated as the bottom of the bottom pipe 39 projecting into the liquid within the container 51 (Figure 8) would give the desired seal;

10 The retarder vessel or container 51 in this case would not require the cover plate-58 or portion 59 as in Figure 4 and a simple elevated outlet 50 from container 51 would be satisfactory.

Now considering the pasteurizers when used in conjunction with convenient deodorizing ap- 'said deodorizer 94. I v

Serial No. 557,858 filed August 18, 1931, now Patent No. 2,014,580 when pasteurizers of the type shown in Figure 1 or 2 are to be applied, a float tank 44 is coupled to the linet 2 (see Figure 5) 5 and the pasteurizer vertically connected to the steam scrubber pipe 63 of the deodorizer 54, this scrubber pipe 53 passing as at-present in a semicircular bend across said deodorizer 54 and then horizontally and tangentially therinto in fishtail 10 I form. 55.

In view of the steam scrubbing of the liquid while within the pasteurizer, this semi-circular upper portion of the pipe 64 may. be elimin'ated,. the latter passing direct to the fishtail-55. l5

To effect retardation of the liquid within the deodorizer 54 in manner similar to that applied when containers 51 are used, the suction pipe 56, which is the liquid outlet pipe from the deodorizer separatorchamber 51 is extended 59 ,20 upwardly within the latter (see Figure 5) said extended pipe 58 being concentrically surroundedby a cylindrical baflie ring 59 whic at its top edge is above the top level of exten ed pipe 58 and is clear of the separator chamber bottom 51, 25 vertical stay's or ribs 10 supporting said baiile ring 59 and at the same time acting as anti-swirl baflies.

Withthe pasteurizers as in Figures 6 and 7, the connection to the deodorizer 54 simply comprises an upward pipe 11 (see Figure 9) connected to the goose neck pipe 41, passing horizontally and tangentially into the deodorizer 54 in enlarged fishtail form 55.

In Figure 9, the pasteurizer has, for the pur- 35 pose of clearness of illustration, been shown as being away from the deodorizer 54, but in actual practice said pasteurizer would preferably be mounted to the side of the deodorizerwith suitable brackets fitted thereto so as to form a compact unit.

Under certain circumstances, as it may be desirable to be able to independently vary the degree of vacuum in the pasteurizer and the deodorizer, as under usual conditions to obtain ef fective deodorization it may be necessary to have a much greater degree of vacuum in the deodorizer, than is permissible in the pasteurizer to obtain adequate and desired pasteurization, suitable means such for instance as the auto- 50 matically actuated valve means as shown in Figures 9 and 10 are fitted to control the degree of vacuum applied to the pasteurizer,

These automatically actuated valve means comprise a large cylinder 12 (see Figure 10) with smaller cylinder 13 extending concentrically. from one end thereof, there being a space 14,

-between large and small pistons 15 and 15 -(which fit their respective cylinders 12 and 13) which is common to both cylinders, the pistons 60 15 and 15 being connected to a single piston rod 11.

The cylinders 12 and 13 :are preferably vertically disposed (as shown) a cover 18 being provided to the top of the large cylinder 12 from 65 which pipe 19 passes to a-suitable point on the pasteurizer chamber 31, the space 14 having pipe connected thereto passing to a suitable position on the deodorizer 54, preferably the top of the ejector condenser ill at which point there 79 would be the full degree of vacuum as applied to The bottom end of the small cylinder is is open, the piston rod 11 passing therethrough to a connectingrod 52 which is connected to a lever 83 which controls the opening and closing operations of preferably a butterfly type valve 84 located in the connecting pipe H or upward portion of goose neck 41. 5 The connecting rod 82 may have a shoulder 85 to. receive removable weights 86.

To the connecting rod 82 piston rod 11 or valve lever 83, dash pot means of known type (not shown) may be fitted for the purpose of preventing rapid movements of the valve 84 and the operating members connected thereto.

In operation, for the purpose of simplicity and clearness, it will be considered that the liquid to be pasteurized is cream, although it will be under- 15 stood that there are liquids other than lacteal liquids which could be pasteurized, such as for instance, fats or oils.

Considering that there is a supply of cream to be treated by the pasteurizer of Figure 1 as an independent unit, said cream would flow by gravity or pump means into the inlet 2 of the diffuser tube l at a low pressure (say A lb. to the square inch) and the steam pressure .in the jacket l2 would be controlled to be just sufficiently in excess to pass gently through the orifices l8 into the cream flowing along the annular space 9 between the diffuser tube l and the diverter 8 Without allowing cream to flow into the jacket 12.

This would cause the cream-and steam to mix with resultant heating of the cream with a minimum of concussion and the cream and steam would pass along the diffuser tube to the branch fitting 5 and through outlet 3 into the retarder vessel or container 51 (see Figure 4) Due to passing into the latter at the periphery thereof, the cream would (due to the velocity of flow) spiral down within the vessel and be held therein before discharge at the outlet 60 for a period sufilcient to enable completion of chemical action of acid neutralization (one minute or so).

While the diffuser tube has cream or-'like passing through, the heat of the jacket l2 tends to cause a deposit of solids to form a skin on the diffuser tube which, if left, would have an insulating eifect and tend to choke the orifices l8.

To prevent this, the handwheel II is occasionally turned so as to cause the diverter 8 to rotate with the result that the scraper blades l0 would remove the deposit.

With the pasteurizer of Figure 2, the operation is the same as that just describedexcept in that a the steam gently enters the annular space 9 within which the cream is flowing by way of the spaces 2| between the rings 20 and solids which would deposit due to the heat of jacket l2 and would tend to block the spaces 2|, being removed therefrom by the knife blades 32 engaged within said spaces 2|, cleaning being eifected by rotation of handwheel l l which causes the rings 20 to rotate. Now if either pasteurizer of Figure -.1 or 2 is applied to a deodorizer 64 as in Figure 5, the operation and control is simplified because the cream and steam come under the influence of vacuum as soon as they pass into the pasteurizer, the cream -65 via the inlet 2 of the pasteurizer from the float tank 44 and steam via diffuser orifices 18 (Figure 1) or ring slots 2| (Figure 2).

It will be assumed that it is necessary to pasteurize at 190 F. This necessitates the use of 11 inches of vacuum in the pasteurizer and the vacuum to be maintained in the deodorizer will therefore be 11 inches plus that required to raise the weight of cream from the bottom of the pasteurizer into the deodorizer 64 via pipe 63. Thus the cream raised to the desired pasteurizing temperature passes along with the excess steam in a frothy state through pipe 63 and fish tail 65 to the deodorizer and is thereby deodorized in known manner and then swirls to the bottom of the separator chamber 61 to be held or retarded 5 (if desired) by the baflle ring 69 and pipe extension 68 for a period sufficient to effect completion of pasteurization before finally flowing down suction pipe 66.

The excess steam above referred to is that 10 steam in excess of that required to raise the cream in the pasteurizer to pasteurizing temperature and which is necessary to enable satisfactory deodorization to be effected in a deodorizer of the type employed in serial for Letters Patent No. 5 557,858, issued September 17, 1935, as Patent No. 2,014,580.

As has already been indicated, it will usually be desirable to provide means for independently varying the degree of vacuum in the deodorizer 20 and in the pasteurizer, a paratus for this purpose having already been described with reference to Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.

In operation, (see Figures 9 and 10) the areas of the large and small pistons 15 and I8 are such 25 that the high degree of vacuum applied by pipe from the deodorizer 64 to the space 14 acting upon the bottom of large pistons 15 and top of small piston 16 will substantially balance the desired lower degree of vacuum of the pasteurizer as ap- 30 plied to the top of large piston 15 by way of pipe As long as this balance is maintained, the piston rod 11 would remain stationary and the butterfly valve 84 open, but if the degree of vacuum in the pasteurizer should exceed the desired degree, this greater degree wouldailect the top of large piston 15 and cause same to move upwardly.

This would cause the valve lever 83 to move butterfly valve 84 to give a restriction of passage 40 in the pipe H (or 63 of Figure 5) so that it will be obvious that in view of the pasteurizer obtaining its vacuum from the deodorizer 64 by way of this connecting pipe H, the vacuum within the pasteurizer would fall and the valve mechanism op- 45 erate to govern the degree of vacuum of the pasteurizer to'that lower degree desired.

Let it be assumed that the ratio between the two vacua as adjusted by the valve means is 2 to 1, if desired to increase the ratio, this is obtain- 50 able by the addition of one of more weights 86 to the connecting rod 82 which will cause a greater degree of vacuum in the pasteurizer to be required to balance the added weights 86.

It may be pointed out that the greater the dif- 55 ference in the respective vacua the greater the temperature drop on issuance of the boiling cream from the butterfly valve 84 and therefore the greater the quantity of vapor formed at that point by utilization of latent heat thus reducing 60 the quantity of excess steam necessary from the boiler for deodorization purposes.

Now considering the operation of the pasteurizers as shown in Figures 6 and '7 used in the first case as atmospheric and independent units 65 (not under vacuum) in both cases the operation is substantially the same, the steam being admitted to the pasteurizing chamber 3'! in a manner tending to allow it toexpand and lose its superheat and thus fall to a temperature 7 suited for pasteurization.

With such atmospheric use of the pasteurizer, the cream while passing through the steam would cause condensation of the latter and the creation of a degree of vacuum which would 75 44 would not be required;

With the pasteurizers of Figures 6 and 7, used tend to hold up the cream within the chamber 31 if it were not for the provision of the vacu-. um and pressure relief valve 62 which would be set to relieve any vacuum created and would 5 relieve any pressure above the low pressure desired.

The amount of steam admitted to the pasteurizing chamber is controlled to be just sufiicient to raise the cream to pasteurizing temperature,

10 and under atmospheric conditions is introduced at a pressure'only slightly in excess 'ofaatmospheric, the cream falling from the orifices 43 in rain or dlfiused form, being surrounded by the steam which also fills -the central space within 15 the chamber 31 due to there being no orifices in the spray ring 42 of Figure 6 or spray plate 5| of Figure '1 in this vicinity.

In order to be sufliciently long in contact with the steam while the cream is in diffused or rain 20 form, the distance of fall from the spray orifices 43 to the bottom of chamber 31 should be a minimum of about three feet, this fall ensuring H the raising of temperature of the cream to that foi' the steam.

25 Used as atmospheric machines, the cream would have to be pumped or would flow by gravity to the spray ring 42 (Figure 6) or fluid .chamber 49 (Figure '7) and as there would be no necessity for a seal on the inlet pipe 2, a float tank in conjunction with a deodorizer apparatus 64, the pasteurizer would have its inlet pipe 2 passing from float tank 44 (Figure 6) and the'goose 35 neck pipe 41 connected by pipe 1! to the deodorizer 64, said deodorizer preferably having the retardation means therein as shown in Figure 5.

Assuming that it is desired to pasteurize at 190 F., as with the pasteurizers of Figures 1 40 and 2, a-vacuum of.11 inches would be required in the pasteurizer chamber 31 and the vacuum to be maintained in the deodorizer 64 would be 1'1 inches plus that required to raise the weight of cream from the goose neck pipe 41 into the 45deodorizer 64 via pipe 1|.

The steam admitted to the pasteurizing chamber 31 under 11 inches of vacuum would fall (due to expansion) to a temperature of 190 F., and the' cream drawn by the vacuum through 50 the orifices 43 in sprayring 42 (or spray plate 5| Figure?) would rain down through the rarifled steam within the pasteurizing chamber 31, becoming heated' to 190 F., and being then boiled at this temperature, the boiling'cream,

55 containing the condensed steam, together with the uncondensed steam being drawn up by way of the goose neck pipe 41 and pipe 1| into the deodorizen The goose neck pipe 41 would tend to cause 60 a certain amount of cream to accumulate therein so as to rect passage of steam from the pasteurizing chamber 31 to the deodorizer.

The creamwithin the deodorizer 64 may be retarded before delivery therefrom by the retarder means such as previously described and illustrated in Figure 5. I

I claim:

1. In apparatus for continuously pasteurizing 70 and deodorizing liquids under vacuum from one vacuum source, means for varying the ratio of vacuum between the pasteurizer and deodorizer comprising a combined large and small cylinder with large and small pistons respectively there- 75 in connected to a single piston rod, 9. space be-' form a seal and thusmini'mize ditween said pistons com on to both cylinders, pipe means connecting aid space to the dzodorizer, further pipe means connecting t e space above the top of the large piston to the pasteurizer, valve means within the pipe which 5 connects the pasteurizer to the deodorizer, lever and connecting rod means connecting the valve means to the piston rod, and weight means for application to the connecting rod for alteration of the ratio of the forces necessary to move the pistons from their equilibrium condition.

2. In combination, a pasteurizer and a deodorizer, a retarder built into said deodorizer on the far end of the latter from the pasteurizer, means for applying a vacuum to the dodorizer and retarder, said pasteurizer being capable of being influenced by the vacuum supply for the deodorizer, fluid admission means for the pasteurizer controlled by the said vacuum supply, and'connecting means between said pasteurizer and the combined deodorizer and retarder, whereby after pasteurization the fluid is drawn by vacuum from said pasteurizer into said deodorizerand thence into the retarder, for further treatment; said first-mentioned means, in addition to supplying said deodorizer, also supplying said pasteurizer and said fluid admission means for pulling the fluid through the pasteurizer and into the deodorizer.-

3. In combination, a pasteurizer and a deodor- 80 izer, said deodorizer comprising a substantially vertically-disposed member, a retarder disposed in said deodorizer nearithe bottom thereof, on the far end of the deodorizer'from the pasteurizer, and comprising a cylindrical baiile ring supported by ribs from the'walls of the deodorizer and having a pipe centrally within said ring and terminating at its upper end short of the top of the baffle ring, an outlet for said deodorizer connected to the bottom of said retarder, means for applying a vacuum to the deodorizer, said pasteurizer being capable of being influenced by the vacuum supply for the deodorizer, fluid admission means for the pasteurizer controlled by the I said vacuum supply, and connecting means between said pasteurizer and said deodorizer, whereby after pasteurization, the fluid is drawn by vacuum from said pasteurizer into said deodorizer, and thence into 'the retarder for further treatment, said first-mentioned means, in addition to supplying said deodorizer, also supplying said pasteurizer and said fluid admission means for pulling the fluid through the pasteurizer and into the deodorizer.

4. In a pasteurizer and a deodorizer assembly, means for applying a vacuum to the deodorizer, said pasteurizer being capable of being influenced by the vacuum supply for the deodorizer, fluid admission means for the pasteurizer controlled by the said vacuum s'upply, connecting means between said pasteurizer and said deodorizer, whereby after pasteurization the fluid is drawn by vacuum from said pasteurizer into said deodorizer, for further treatment, said first-mentioned means, in addition to supplying said deodorizer, also supplying said pasteurizer and said fluid ad- -mission means, and'means for varying the ratio of the degrees of vacuum maintaining in the pasteurizer and the deodorizer,

' 5. In a-pasteurizerland a deodorizer assembly,

means for applying .a vacuum to the deodorizer, said pasteurizer being capable of being influenced by the vacuum supply .for the deodorizer, fluid admission means for the pasteurizer controlled by the said vacuum supply, connecting means be- 76 tween said pasteurizer and said deodorizer, whereby after pasteurization the fluid is drawn by vacuum from said pasteurizer into said deodorizer, for further treatment, said first-mentioned means, in addition to supplying said deodorizer, also supplying said pasteurizer and said fluid admission means, and means for varying the ratio of the degree of vacuum maintaining in the pasteurizer and the deodorizer, thesaid means comprising a cylinder box having a large and a small cylinder therein, a piston in each cylinder, a piston rod common to both pistons, a chamber defined between said pistons, a pipe communicating with said chamber and" leading to said deodorizer, a second chamber at the top of the large piston, a pipe communicating with said second chamber and leading to said pasteurizer, a pipe interconnecting said deodorizer and said pasteurizer, a valve within said third pipe, lever and connecting rod means connecting said valve and said piston rods, and removable weights on said connecting rod for changing the vacuum ratio.

6. Apparatus for varying the ratio of vacuum between a pasteurizer and a deodorizer, interconnected by a first pipe, wherein the said deodorizer is supplied with a vacuum, the pull of which latter is also exerted through said deodorizer and pipe to said pasteurizer; the said apparatus comprising a cylinder box having a large and a small izer, a valve within saidfirst pipe for controlling said second chamber and leading to said pasteurthe vacuum pull on the deodorizer, lever and connecting rod means connecting said valve and said piston rods, and removable weights on said connecting rod for changing the relation of the piston assemblies to each other and thereby changing the vacuum ratios necessary to balance the pistons in their respective chambers.

7. Apparatus for continuously pasteurizing and deodorizing liquids under vacuum, comprising a deodorizer, a pasteurizer, a pipe connecting said deodorizer to said pasteurizer, a vacuum source coupled to the deodorizer and through the latter and the said pipe with the pasteurizer, means for varying the ratio of the vacuum in the pasteurizer and the deodorizer, and a vacuum-actuated valve in said pipe coupling the deodorizer and the pasteurizer for maintaining constant any selected ratio of vacuum.

HENRY LAMONT MURRAY. 

